When you research home insurance near me, you’re likely thinking about covering the personal items inside your home, as well as the interior structure of your home. However, you should never neglect the importance of protecting your roof. Dealing with roof damage can be very expensive if you don’t have coverage. Therefore, roofing insurance is an asset.
Why Do You Need to Inspect and Maintain Your Roof?
Insurance companies consider the roof to be one of the most important features of a home. If you have an unstable roof, it will be regarded as a warning sign of more serious issues in the future. If your roof is in excellent shape, that will reduce the amount you’ll have to pay for premiums. Make sure to inspect your roof regularly, especially if it is over 20 years old. You might have to replace the roof before obtaining coverage, as some insurers do not offer insurance for homes with old roofs.
The Extent of Coverage Available
Generally, a complete roof repair costs around $10,000. However, the total cost depends on the size of the roof and materials used. If your roof is damaged, the insurance company may pay actual cash value instead of replacement value.
Insurers expect you to maintain your home properly. Therefore, you should make the necessary repairs and adhere to all of the safety precautions. Your home insurance policy covers any damage to your roof caused by a fire or natural disasters such as a hurricane or tornado. You are also covered if your roof is vandalized. However, you are not necessarily covered if your home is damaged due to rain, wind, or hail. To know the extent of coverage available, make sure to check the terms of your policy.
Policy Limitations
Carefully read through your home insurance policy, as it may include some policy limitations that you are not aware of. Some policies include a single endorsement that restricts coverage if homes have shake roofs or wooden shingles. Insurance companies are looking for ways to limit liability claims for wind or rain damage. Cosmetic improvements to the roof will also be excluded and the homeowner will have to pay for such updates out of pocket.
Ways to Protect Your Roof
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, so you have to protect it.
- Take photos of your roof. If damages occur, document everything by taking before and after photos and submit them to your insurance provider while filing a claim for roof damages.
- Get your roof inspected. If your roof is over ten years old, hire an inspector to check for any areas that need to be repaired.
- Replace worn-out tiles and shingles. To avoid future damage, cut any trees that hang over your roof and replace broken tiles and shingles.
How to File a Roof Damage Claim
Contact your insurer as soon as you detect damages to your roof. Present the before and after photos so that your insurer can evaluate the damages. You can also ask an insurance claims examiner to look at the damages. Once the claim has been recorded and the damages have been examined, secure the services of a qualified roofer to repair/replace the roof to prevent further damages.
Your roof is an essential part of your home; inspecting and maintaining it will help you cut down on unnecessary future costs. Having the right roofing insurance in place will also give you the peace of mind that you are protected against any future uncertainties. If you have further questions related to home insurance, the professionals at Schwab Agency are the right experts for you. Contact us to get started today!